I've Moved

In case you've been wondering why this site (www.krystalwade.blogspot.com) has been so quiet lately, it's because I've moved.

My permanent home is now at www.krystal-wade.com.

I haven't decided if I like the Wordpress.org system, but I do like having my blog and webpage all in one.

Go check it out, and make sure you subscribe by e-mail so you can stay up to date!

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EVER

Eight plus months ago, I took on a part time job with an Independent Publisher. Eight months ago, I never imagined how quickly that job would grow into something so rewarding, so amazing, that I'd find myself becoming friends with uber-talented authors such as Jessa Russo. I mean, I already knew the writing community is a strong, supportive one--My best friend is a writer and my crit partner. My other best friend is a writer, a publisher, and a new mother. Oh, and before I forget, my other best friend is my mother-in-law (hi, Nana!)

BUT

I never knew how absolutely motherly I'd feel after signing an author, editing her book, talking her off a few ledges, nearly crying with her when the first 5-star review from an ARC came in, and finally getting the email that said, "I LOVE MY COVER!" My heart swelled as if I was watching Kid #1 get on the bus for the first time.

With that said, I am proud of Jessa Russo. I believe this book will be huge, and I'm just happy she allowed me to be a part of her experience.

So without further rambling, here's EVER'S blurb and gorgeous cover!

 

Seventeen-year-old Ever’s love life has been on hold for the past two years. She’s secretly in love with her best friend Frankie, and he’s completely oblivious.

Of course, it doesn't help that he’s dead, and waking up to his ghost every day has made moving on nearly impossible.

Frustrated and desperate for something real, Ever finds herself falling for her hot new neighbor Toby. His relaxed confidence is irresistible, and not just Ever knows it. But falling for Toby comes with a price that throws Ever’s life into a whirlwind of chaos and drama. More than hearts are on the line, and more than Ever will suffer.

Some girls lose their hearts to love.

Some girls lose their minds.

Ever Van Ruysdael could lose her soul.

Add Ever to your Goodreads TBR list HERE!

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Trust #sixsunday #wildesmeadow

For those of you not in the know, Wilde's Meadow is set to release on November 5th! YAY!

Here is one more *unedited* scene where Kate and Arland are in the great room for a little pre-battle celebration.

Enjoy!

~When Arland and I are around others, I find myself glancing away, making faces, tensing up—all the things I was supposed to do before he and Brit disappeared. Back at Watchers Hall, before meeting Dufaigh—or any other Ground Dweller aside from Perth—I didn't have an issue with affection. Actions never bothering me before scare me now.

No matter how united all the Draíochtans are, no matter how much magic or confidence I have, I still worry I will lose Arland at any moment, that a tragic death I've seen him die so many times will come true.

He squeezes my fingers between his. "You said you would have fun, but your thoughts are a constant stream into mine, Kate."~

Oooh. Doesn't that just leave you wondering?!

To read other Six Sunday greatness, visit the official site! *DISCLAIMER: Not all sites are appropriate for children under 18!*

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Wilde's Fire: B&N, Amazon, Kobo, & iTunes.

Wilde's Army: Amazon, B&N 

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What's In Your Purse?

End of Summer Edition!

Were you a part of the January edition of this fun little purse clean-out?

If not, you sure missed out. Some of the things people carry around in their purse astound me!

So, since the summer is winding down, I figured it was time to clean-out our shoulder bags once again!

-         Pack of gum (Hey, that's normal!)

-         Car keys

-         Sharpie (Never know when people will ask for my autograph!)

-         Assorted book promo items

-         Lunch Bag

-         Sunglasses

-         iPod charger

-         1 Beaded necklace

-         2 Lip Glosses (That's what started this whole post back in January!)

-         4 Balloons (Guess I never took them out last time.)

-         2 Legos

-         3 Alka-Seltzer Packs

-         7 Halls (I threw them out. They had purse scum on them.)

-         2 Life-Savers (Currently resides in the trash as well.)

-         2 Sunglasses (Not mine)

-         2 Hand lotions (Stolen from hotels)

-         Eye drops (Never know when you'll need these)

-         Tylenol

-         Flashlight (So I can find crap in my purse)

-         Notepad (Inspiration doesn't always strike while at a computer.)

-         Bills (This stack includes a checkbook, a Square credit card reader, and random notes I've written about my books.)

-         Wallet

-         17 Hair Items (Note: None of these belongs to me.)

-         A Princess Key (In case I stumble upon a castle?)

-         55 Cents (Very fuzzy, now in my wallet.)

-         Receipts

-         That darn Turkey Trot medal is still in there (My hubs asked me about this the other day!)

-         Pen and Pencil (one of each isn't so bad)

-         17 Crayons (I think I've collected a few since my last post. Sigh.)

-         4 Rings inside of balls (I need to make my daughters clean out my purse. Really.)

That's it this time.

So, what's in your purse?

Can't wait to read the comments!

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Wilde's Fire: B&N, Amazon, Kobo, & iTunes.

Wilde's Army: Amazon, B&N 

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Bring Sexy Back #sixsunday #wildesmeadow

Hello Fans, Six Sunday-ers, and those here who don't actually want to be--Whaaat? You don't really want to be here?

This week poor Kate has stopped the bleeding on her shoulders. Flanna should NOT be allowed to touch a needle ever again. Now our hero and heroine are spending some along time together.

Enjoy!

~"Well, since you are forcing me, I would like to tell you your hair is a mess." He laughs, a deep, happy laugh.

I smack his shoulder. "Arland."

Arland leans forward then flips me onto my back, pressing his chest against mine, holding me captive with pleasure. "And your smile makes my day."~

Sigh.

Thanks for stopping by!

To read other Six Sunday greatness, visit the official site. *DISCLAIMER: Not all sites are appropriate for children under 18!*

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Wilde's Fire: B&N, Amazon, Kobo, & iTunes.

Wilde's Army: Amazon, B&N 

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Epic Stank

The sun was shining, the sky was blue, and temperatures were somewhere around the mid-eighties. I pulled up to the Mine Road sign at the Pentagon and abruptly ended my phone conversation with my best friend and critique partner Dawna.

Two gentlemen opened my car doors and climbed into the passenger seats, immediately bringing with them a smell like no other . . .

Mothballs!

I'm sure the little orbs of smelly repellent went out of style in the 80's, right?

RIGHT?

If they were ever popular to begin with.

But one of these guys sported the scent as though he wore the most expensive cologne known to man—or something.

I gagged. How the hell will I survive the fifty-mile drive to Stafford while holding my breath?

* Gasp * I couldn't.

Slug #2 popped a piece of gum in his mouth, so I knew the smell wasn't his breath. Neither of them wore suits appearing as if they belonged on a corpse. The origination would remain a mystery.

Turning up the radio, I tried focusing on anything other than the air quality inside my Jetta, or how I would get that stank out of the leather.

This is what I get for detailing my baby over the weekend!

Every time one of the guys shifted in their seat, sighed, moved an arm, a leg, or played with their cell phone, I swear they created rippling currents of mothball.

Why me?

To make matters worse, neither of them spoke to me . . . and we hit bad traffic. Cars crawled along the interstate, the drivers inching forward without any hint of the trauma I experienced.

Lucky jerks.

When I saw the sign for our exit, I drove faster, zipping in and out of lanes like a NASCAR racer.

I managed to drop the guys off without telling them they smelled like sh*t, but I was once again reminded that I will never stop being surprised by people I meet in the slug lines.

Why can't I work from home again?

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Many of you know I pick up "slugs" so I can use the HOV lanes along I-95 in Virginia.  Many of you probably also know that an occasional slug does something so outrageous I feel compelled to write about him/her (see "Letter to My Slug" or "Snoring").

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Wilde's Fire: B&N, Amazon, Kobo, & iTunes.

Wilde's Army: Amazon, B&N 

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Alone Time #wildesmeadow #sixsunday

Hey guys! It's been awhile since I've participated in Six Sunday. Life has been hectic, and I didn't think it was fair for you to comment on my blog when I'm not even around.

So, today I bring you an early scene from Wilde's Meadow, the third and final installment in my Darkness Falls trilogy set to release November 5, 2012.

Flanna is making armor for Kate, but Flanna is no Dresser. Kate's bleeding . . . everywhere!

Enjoy!

~"She's trying to kill me." [Kate says]

"There," Flanna trills. "Promise me you will wear this?"

Arland crosses the room in three easy strides, takes the needle from Flanna, then places it on the table next to the excess sewing materials. "I appreciate your concern for Kate, Flanna, but we leave tomorrow, and I would like to spend some time alone with her."

She winks.~

Hmm . . . about to go to war and looking for alone time, eh?!

Thanks for visiting, commenting, and just generally being awesome! To read other Six Sunday greatness, visit the official site! *DISCLAIMER: Not all sites are appropriate for children under 18!*

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Wilde's Fire: B&N, Amazon, Kobo, & iTunes.

Wilde's Army: Amazon, B&N 

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Wilde's Meadow

I've written. I've rewritten. I've cried. I've cussed. I've pulled a few hairs. Oh, and I've rewritten some more.

BUT!!!!!

Wilde's Meadow is now in the hands of my editor at Curiosity Quills Press.

That's right! On November 5, 2012, you will be able to read the final installment of my Darkness Falls trilogy!

*Throws Confetti*

This book was so difficult for me. I began writing it last year, but in the mean time, Wilde's Fire and Army were published, I started working for CQP, and everything else that is life seemed to stand in the way. Never mind the fact I was scared to finish this book.

Darkness Falls is my baby, the very first series--or book--I've ever written. Letting go of that and saying "NEXT" scared me.

Even when the next story pounded against my thoughts and screamed "LET ME OUT", I put Wilde's Meadow on the shelf. But, through some prodding by my very wonderful internal voice, I finished.

And now . . . the blurb!

Happy endings are hard to find, and even though Katriona is in the middle of a war with someone who's already stolen more than she can replace, she aches for a positive future with her Draíochtans.

Armed with hope, confidence in her abilities, and a strange new gift from her mother, Kate ventures into the Darkness to defeat a fallen god.

Losses add up, and new obstacles rise to stand in the way. Is the one determined to bring Encardia light strong enough to keep fighting, or will all the sacrifices to stop those who seek domination be for nothing?

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Wilde's Fire: B&N, Amazon, Kobo, & iTunes.

Wilde's Army: Amazon, B&N 

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Look at This

I've been tagged by Ayden Morgen, who has no idea how perfect her timing is. Not only has she included me in this fun meme called "Look", but I get to show off my blog/website's new look. We're not finished designing yet, but I'd rather post new stuff here!

Now, according to the rules, I'm supposed to do a search in my work in progress for the word "look" and then paste the surrounding paragraph(s) and tag as many people as possible. Here's my teaser from "Book without a name", the first book with a character built off one of my children:

 

"Were you nervous about finally coming on a date with me?"

I should've told him I was thinking about Derick. The truth would have at least gotten me out of an attempted kiss at the end of our date, which I'm sure Mark had been planning since I'd agreed to go out with him. "I've known you since what, we were wearing diapers and enrolled at Minnieland? I don't get nervous around you."

His hopeful look diminished, and he glanced around Firebirds until he found our server.

I didn't mean to hurt his feelings. I'm so selfish . . . .

He shot his hand in the air like an eager student ready to blurt the answer to a question the teacher just asked. Subtleties were not Mark's specialty, not like Derick. If he were with us, all he would have done is tip his head in the direction of the server. Ten would have come running.

Every thought came back to him and the fact he wasn't there. I'm going crazy. If I could've smacked myself without drawing attention, I would have.

 

Fun stuff, right? I thought so. This is a book I cannot wait to finish. If I could just find some time. Geesh!

Tags:

Kelly Stone Gamble - @kellysgamble      -      Wendy Russo - @WendySRusso      -     Lisa Collicutt - @LisaCanada104    -   Deborah Krager - @debrakristi      -       Jamie Ayres - @jamiemayres

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Wilde's Fire: B&N, Amazon, Kobo, & iTunes.

Wilde's Army: Amazon, B&N 

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Segregated Clothing

I rummaged through my closet, looking for something—anything—to wear to work. Meetings filled my morning schedule, and I wanted to look nice but couldn't find a dress or slacks or capris or anything.

Until . . .

I skipped to that section. The section of my closet reserved for skinny or fat days. You know, the-clothes-that-used-to-fit-but-for-whatever-reason-don't-right-now section.

Sigh.

My husband laughed at me, made some comment about how if I'd just put away laundry as soon as I wash it, I wouldn't have this problem.

Men!

I wash laundry, dry it, fold it. Can't someone else put away the shirts and underwear and socks and pants and—we have three kids, do you realize how much laundry that is?

Sorry. I'll get back on topic here. So, I donned some loose-fitting capris—like really loose fitting, like I had to poke a new hole in my loose-fitting belt just to get the damned things to stay on my waist.

Many of you are probably pissed that some of my clothes are too big, but hey, I used to fit into these things. So can it!

Once I arrived at work, I felt like a fool. My pants swallowed me whole, hid all my good qualities, probably made me appear a bit frumpy.

Maybe I should put away all my clean clothes.

Does anyone else have a section of those-days clothes kept separate from all the others? I can't be the only person who segregates! I hope I'm not the only person who hates putting away laundry, either!

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Wilde's Fire: B&N, Amazon, Kobo, & iTunes.

Wilde's Army: Amazon, B&N

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